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Research at UEL
Our dynamic research community is organised into Institutes, Centres and Groups. These provide a focus for our cutting-edge research. Many of our academics are world leaders in their fields. They have a well-deserved reputation for delivering innovative, high impact projects. These range from health, education and environmental sustainability to architecture, digital industries and social sciences. At UEL, we excel at attracting funding and developing partnerships. We work with organisations in the academic, public, private and voluntary sectors to combine expertise and achieve strong outcomes.
Research in our Schools
Research in the Royal Docks School of Business & Law (RDSBL)
Innovative interdisciplinary enquiry into emerging areas in business, management, politics, international relations, law and criminology.
Innovative research in business and law
Research in the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
Renowned across the world, our research and partnerships transfer knowledge to various sectors.
Practical and industry-focused research
Research in the School of Arts and Creative Industries
Our research is socially engaged, collaborative, and interdisciplinary, and is integrated into the student experience by our research active staff.
Collaborative and creative research
Research in the School of Education and Communities
We are an international centre of excellence for teacher education and professional development.
Multidisciplinary research in education and social work
Research in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience
Our internationally-renowned institutes regularly carry out research across the UK and overseas.
Our research in health and sport
Research in the School of Psychology
Our research has prioritised topics which are relevant to the lives of our students and our local communities.
Focused, community-based researchResearch Centres and Institutes
Sustainability Research Institute (SRI)
The Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) is UEL's centre of excellence for environmental research and development.
Read about UEL's Sustainability Research Institute
Institute for Connected Communities (ICC)
The Institute for Connected Communities (ICC) puts connected offline and online communities at the heart of our research, exploring contemporary issues including harms, cybercrime, safety, security, health and wellbeing.
Read more
Centre for Performing Arts Development (CPAD)
CPAD at the University of East London (UEL) is focused on developing original and innovative research in performing arts.
Read about UEL's dedicated research into performing arts
Centre for Applied and Participatory Arts
Socially-engaged research and evaluation projects led by UEL's performing arts staff.
Find information on the CAPA for UEL
The International Centre for Public Pedagogy (ICPUP)
Public Pedagogy is a new area of educational scholarship that considers the application and development of educational theory beyond formal schooling.
Read more
The International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare (ICMEC)
ICMEC works to generate greater knowledge about Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) systems and policies worldwide.
Read more
Centre for Narrative Research (CNR)
The Centre for Narrative Research (CNR) is the leading centre for narrative work in social sciences with aims to develop innovative narrative research
Read more
The Centre for Social Work Research (CSWR)
We offer a distinctive 'practice near' psychosocial approach to social work, social policy and to understanding individuals and organisations.
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Centre for Social Justice and Change (CSJC)
The Centre for Social Justice and Change is dedicated to undertaking high quality research that adds to the development of theory and knowledge.
Read more
Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging
The Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging is located in the Department of Social Sciences at the University of East London.
Read more
Centre for Innovation Management and Enterprise (CIME)
The Centre for Innovation Management and Enterprise (CIME) develops interdisciplinary research, relevant teaching, and practitioner engagement.
Read further on the CIME and its research
Centre for the study of States, Markets and People (STAMP)
STAMP hosts visiting fellows, PhD students, runs advanced research seminars and workshops and houses the Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies.
Read more information on STAMP
Noon Centre at UEL
Since its inception in 2012 the Centre has pursued the strategic goal of supporting and developing students from diverse backgrounds.
Discover the Noon Centre and its goals and visions for students
Centre for Mediation and Conflict Management
The Centre for Mediation and Conflict Management (CMCM) is a collective of professionally trained, staff mediators from multiple disciplines.
Read more
The Centre of FinTech
The Centre of FinTech is a University of East London Research Centre, based at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, in collaboration with the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering at the University of East London.
Read more
Centre on Justice, Law and Society (CJLS)
CJLS's main objective is to support and develop scholarly activity, research and research-led teaching in the School.
Learn more about our work
Policing Innovation, Enterprise and Learning Centre
A new approach to policing research that encapsulates the original Peelian Principles of 1829 but explores how to bring them up to date in a 21st century context has begun: to make policing by consent a contemporary reality.
Learn more about our workResearch Excellence
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) 17% of research was judged to be world-leading, nearly double the previous REF. At the same time, more than 90% of our research was assessed as 'internationally recognised' and more than 60% was rated 'internationally excellent'.
We have recently completed our REF 2021 submission, submitting 238 staff to 13 Units of Assessment.
Institute for Connected Communities (ICC)
The Institute for Connected Communities (ICC) focuses on connected offline and online communities exploring contemporary issues including harms, cybercrime, safety, security, health and wellbeing. The ICC incorporates the former Institute of Health and Human Development and the Online Harms and Cybercrime Unit.
Learn moreResearch Environment
The University provides a comprehensive support structure for research and knowledge exchange through the Office for Postgraduates, Research and Engagement. This team provides support for public and community engagement, research ethics, integrity and compliance, the development and monitoring of bids for research funding and research excellence.
This professional services team works in tandem with a network of roles within our academic schools: our Directors of Impact and Innovation, REF Unit of Assessment Coordinators and annual review panel members as part of a wider impact and engagement eco-system incorporating our institutes, centres and groups.
Making an Impact
Our research is central to achieving our Vision 2028 goals, specifically to increase the economic, social and cultural impact (reach and value) of our activities to the communities we serve.
From influencing policy related to online harms, to conserving UK peatlands and helping young people with disabilities live more independent lives - UEL research achieves positive social change.
Many of our academics are key members of influential policy working groups including government, business and the not-for-profit sector. We are committed not only to sharing the impact of our research with our communities and the wider public but to engaging people in the whole research process from listening and responding, to co-creation, implementing interventions/solutions and measuring impact.
At UEL, we believe in working with communities to co-create futures. This kind of engagement means we can help shape policy and practice to bring real improvements to people's lives.
Postgraduate Researchers
Located across three campuses in East London, close to the Olympic Park and the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, UEL provides outstanding facilities and campuses that are connected to our communities. With a genuine focus on public and community engagement, studying at UEL will give you the chance to develop projects with real social significance.
Latest published research
Royal Institute of British Architects 2021. International Conservation Case Studies . Royal Institute of British Architects.
Royal Institute of British Architects 2021. Sustainable Past, Sustainable Future: Guide. Royal Institute of British Architects.
Bond, F. W., Flaxman, P. E. and Lloyd, J. 2016. Mindfulness and meditation in the workplace: An acceptance and commitment therapy approach. in: West, M. A. (ed.) The Psychology of Meditation: Research and Practice Oxford University Press. pp. 241-258